WT to entirely shut down Brooklyn soon? New developments

sir82

One thread already started on this, although you may have missed it since the topic title is not so descriptive: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/173227/1/Moving-sale

Here is a news article on it:

http://www.lohud.com/article/20090326/NEWS03/903260466

RAMAPO - The Jehovah's Witnesses are planning an administration and

residential

complex off Silver Mine Road where about

850 people would live and work.

The 248-acre site was intended to become an active-senior development, but the builder, Lorterdan Properties at Ramapo, sold the site in February to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.

A deed filed at the Rockland County Clerk's Office on Feb. 13 showed that the society paid $11.5 million.

The society plans to move many of its administrative offices from Brooklyn, where it has overseen its worldwide operations for 100 years.

Whattaya think? Brooklyn Bethel to be shuttered by 2012? Maybe 2014 - celebrate the 1st 100 years of Jesus' "invisible rule"?

AK - Jeff

Will they become edentulous over time because of this?

The dubbers have got to be getting interested in all the sudden change - that might lead to more internet investigation, eh?

Jeff

snowbird

Goodness, Jeff!

Recrudescence and edentulous.

Are you practicing for the Spelling Bee, also?

Sylvia

Ultimate Reality

How many Bethelites are left in Brooklyn at this time?

stillajwexelder

Most of the Rank and File are already expecting it. A number of Edlers have already given their opinion that the Society will move out of Brooklyn completely within 10 years maximum

Late last year there was a local needs part given during the Service Meeting stating that members of the congregation should not believe gossip nor false rumors. The Bethel brother giving the talk flatly denied that the Brooklyn Operations would be moved. However, with the huge purchase of property in Rockland County and a Society spokesman stating the purpose of the purchase it is clear that a major move is happening.

It seems that the Governing Body has grown tired of the constant hectic pace of New York City. NYC's negative influence on the spirituality of those living at Bethel might be another factor. The current financial crisis has forced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to drastically raise the fare on the subway, buses, and tolls on all bridges and tunnels. It just costs too much to live in the city - especially for those working at Bethel. Another factor is the unending red-tape to get anything done in New York City - look how long it has taken the city and state to agree on what will be built at Ground Zero. Another factor might be their view on where they want to be when the "end" comes. Perhaps they believe it would not be wise to have a major concentration of those who make decisions for Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide to be in one location like Brooklyn.

Quirky1

I smell retirement home for the elite.

OnTheWayOut

This is definitely going to happen. WTS will move out of Brooklyn. It probably would happen faster in a stable economy, but will happen. There just isn't any point in holding on to ivory towers anymore. The only thing I could think of as a reason is that the Governing Body will be far from the bright lights of New York City, but those guys are so old anyway- they don't get out that much.

Any important Bethel Heavies will see that they need to take trips out of town to enjoy the good life. They will jet around the world to give talks and they will have spacious living quarters back at the rural retreat. That will be that.

purplesofa

Moving out of the city might make them seem more like a commune and cult- like